Israel Must End Its Dependency on Palestinian Workers

When discussing the continued employment of workers from the Palestinian Authority in Israel, I propose asking the following question, detached from political ideologies: Is it acceptable for the Israeli economy to depend on Palestinian workers?

If your answer is “no,” then it is clear that regardless of the complexity of the solution, it must be implemented. Israel’s economic resilience is directly influenced by its security situation. As of May 2024, approximately 140,000 Palestinian workers from the Palestinian Authority were employed legally and illegally across Israel, particularly in construction and agriculture.

Periods of heightened terrorism, military operations, or war often result in closures of the Palestinian territories, barring the entry of Palestinian workers into Israel. For example, on October 7, a decision was made to ban the entry of Palestinian workers into Israel—a prohibition that remains in effect to this day, severely impacting the construction sector and many others.

Israel exists in a fragile security reality, which is expected to worsen in the post-Abu Mazen era. The Israeli government must act now to reduce the economy’s dependence on Palestinian workers, so we are not forced to choose between economic stability and the security of our citizens.

For years, insufficient action has been taken to address this issue. Sporadic initiatives have yielded minimal results, and every closure of the Palestinian territories leads to immense pressure from industries to reinstate Palestinian workers. To break this dependency in both routine and emergency situations, the Israeli government must declare this a strategic goal and launch a comprehensive inter-ministerial plan to change the status quo.

Here are some potential solutions to reduce Israel’s dependency on Palestinian workers:

1. Importing foreign workers from various countries:
Countries such as India, Moldova, and others can provide labor through bilateral agreements and the establishment of a suitable legal framework. While some progress has been made by the Ministry of Interior, the cost of employing foreign workers is higher due to housing requirements, making it less feasible for smaller employers in construction. To address this, a dedicated aid fund for small and medium-sized businesses is essential. Creative solutions, such as modular housing complexes in appropriate locations and coordinated transportation systems, must also be explored.

2. Encouraging Israeli labor, particularly in agriculture:
While past efforts have not been highly successful, current conditions may spark greater interest. Incentives for young workers, such as housing grants in nearby communities or scholarships for related fields, could prove effective. The Jewish Diaspora could also be mobilized, adding significant value to strengthening ties with our global Jewish brothers and sisters.

3. Advanced construction technologies:
Technologies that require less manual labor should be a governmental priority. This includes identifying technologies suitable for the Israeli market and expediting regulatory processes. A government grant fund to support the adoption and implementation of these technologies should also be established.

This Won’t Happen Overnight

This is a process, and I do not claim to offer a complete solution. However, I aim to demonstrate that the issue is solvable. If the government decides to tackle this challenge, it has far greater resources and tools at its disposal than I do. The only thing it needs is the will to act.